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User Policy Rule #8: No Generals
Anonymous
No.6135
6137 6142
In this thread, we discuss the future of the "no generals" rule. Whether that be to remove it, re-confirm it, reform it, or clarify it, or decide how it should be enforced.
The No Generals rule is one of the oldest rules on our site, but it's also the least consistently enforced. Very many exceptions to the rule exist on /mlpol/, both explict and de facto. Some Anons have wondered if the no generals rule might be outdated or obsolete, while others have stated that it should be enforced more consistently; some Anons have called for clarity for what constitutes a "general" and why they should be disallowed on this site.

Share your thoughts:
Do you like the current rule? Are you just indifferent to it? Do you think it should be changed? Do you think it's fine as is? Do you want to see it enforced more consistently? Is the rule helpful to our site? Could it be detrimental? Just what is a general? Are generals a bad thing? Do generals diminish content creation, or promote it? What do you think about the current existing generals? Etc.
146 replies and 43 files omitted.
Anonymous
No.7172
7173
>>7171
All right, post them, if they interesting no doubt poners will replay.
Personally I will post new breads only when I have enough material to pad them, or is a very hot habbening.
Anonymous
No.7173
>>7172
And I have been where you are, knowing what is likely(not inevitable) to result. Good luck, your faikure is NOT assured, so do your best.
Anonymous
No.7174
>>7168
It's even worse for the catalog to be full of threads from 6-8 months ago.
Fresh threads are a good thing.
Anonymous
No.7175
>>7170
We're already stuck with dead breads, because we don't get enough new ones to slide them.
Anonymous
No.7176
7177
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Anonymous
No.7177
7178
>>7176
What I'm trying to get at with what I posted here is. Make the threads, cross link >> stuff credited for whatever purpose. Some things lend itself for greater user engagement which have its time and place.
Failing is an expected part of life as is failed threads so post what is right in your heart or head and hopefully both.
Anonymous
No.7178
>>7177
>Some things lend itself for greater user engagement which have its time and place.
This.
Topics that get their own threads consistently get more replies and better overall discussion than equally-relavant topics in the random news thread.
I've posted both ways over the years. New threads always invoke more engagement.
Anonymous
No.7179
7180 7181
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Anonymous
No.7180
>>7179
I didn't want to call out the writefag circle because for all intents and purposes it seems to generate some content, but perhaps individual write threads would be better.
Anonymous
No.7181
>>7179
>I also think it's important to define what a general is
I agree.
As far as things go, the term "general" only refers to threads that have"general" in their name (to the point that it will be edited to "Happening"), but that's obviously not a clear definition.
Anonymous
No.7182
7183
If its not a current event, but it IS a recurring thread, surprise, its a general
Anonymous
No.7183
>>7182
I don't know what the definition is for generals but a recurring thread isn't a problem, imo, (GG's review threads for example) however threads that are "general" instead of "specific" in it's topic.
Anonymous
No.7184
The writefag general is a good place for writers who don't want their own threads, but the news general should only be for minor news topics. Major stories tend to get buried and forgotten by the minor news topics once they are no longer visible on the Overboard.
Anonymous
No.7185
7186
>>7159
I don't really think it's even that much of a question of enforcement as it is that that site sort of just collectively unwittingly accepted long-lasting threads turning into de-facto generals so gradually that it wasn't easy to notice.
Which is why I want to raise awareness of the topic so that we can decide on our own terms how we want to proceed.
Anonymous
No.7186
7187
>>7185
Well, that gets into the individual apporaches to staffing. Without criticism, some have a hands off approach and some have a hands on approach.
Neither is 'wrong' on its face, and in hindsight one can always think of a 'better way'.
I would say - if I were in the position to say (which Im not) - that more effoet could be exlended, as well as a but of discernment, to discourage blanket threads like the "News" thread. Its far too general, and runs afoul of the spirit (but NOT the intent) of rule 11.
Anonymous
No.7187
7188 7190 7212
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>>7186
This thread is one of those /qa/ discussions that never really got the staff to weigh in after the OP. Maybe it's about time we get an official response so a solution to these problems can be taken on.

HEY, MODS! WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Posting pony ass to make sure they see it.
Anonymous
No.7188
7189
huijb.png
>>7187
Since you call law enforcement to assist you, I have no choice but to intercede.
Fuck off with your attempt to make changes. I don't care how you spin it. I oppose upsetting the status quo.
Anonymous
No.7189
>>7188
I want to status quo to go back to what it was when we actually had consistent news threads.
Lotus
## Admin
No.7190
7191
CA347D93-34DC-4B20-B4BE-508C73C8139A.jpeg
>>7187
I don’t know; I’ll review the question when I have more time. I don’t care much for the “random news thread” and it’s potentially chilling effect on new thread creation, but I’m not aware of any other threads being potential problems.
Anonymous
No.7191
>>7190
>I’ll review the question when I have more time.
Basically what I wanted for now. Thanks for the consideration.
Anonymous
No.7192
7193
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Anonymous
No.7193
7194
>>7192
>At the same time, I feel like some users want to keep general or semi-general style threads
Given the low /mlpol/ traffic, I think it is the best trade-off. Splattering the catalog with new threads that end up with a just a few responses it is very bad look.
Anonymous
No.7194
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Anonymous
No.7195
7196
...Idk though; I don't really know what to do. I just feel like we could do better than this.
At the very least, we could use some clarity in the matter.
Anonymous
No.7196
7197
>>7195
I dont disagree.
The problem is, for many/most of the 'oldfags', /mlpol/ has always been slow and theres a certain charm in that; one doesnt HAVE to lurk the site 24/7 to avoid missing out on gem threads.
And yet, the single greatest argument from potentjal users is "too slow". Thats not to attribute authenticity to their prospective userdom, just reiterating what has been said. So, a greater number of specific threads as opposed to generals would appear to appeal to a larger potential userbase. Emphasis on potential.
At the same time, it would also be in keeping with the professed intent of the policy/site.
Which begs the question: which is better, the devil you know or the devil you dont? Conventional strategy suggests the former, but thelatter has never been tried, and wat HAS been tried - while not unstable or insustainable - isnt working.
Anonymous
No.7197
7198 7199 7212
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Anonymous
No.7198
>>7197
>>missing out on gem threads
>what gen threads?
Nigger,....
Anonymous
No.7199
>>7197
This, pretty much.
Anonymous
No.7200
7202
52-522731_angry-derpy-hooves-female-mare-paint-derpy-hooves.png
At this point I am suspecting this thread has been reactivated to stir shit again by the same faggot than the last time.
If so... KYS and burn your disgusting remains in the Everfree Forest.
Anonymous
No.7202
7203
>>7200
You must have not been paying attention if you think that's the case.
Anonymous
No.7203
7204
not again.jpg
>>7202
>B-but, I just want to discuss an idea
Fetching mayhem and discord looks like a sport for that faggot. Not only he didn't learn, looks like he is enjoying it.
To try to change things in an autistic board is a very bad idea and not welcomed at all.
Anonymous
No.7204
7205
2111023__safe_artist-colon-sketchmcreations_pinkie+pie_earth+pony_pony_the+last+laugh_female_frown_mare_pinkie+pie+is+not+amused_raised+hoof_simple+background_t.png
>>7203
>Fetching mayhem and discord
Where? The entire conversation has been self-contained, in the designated thread on the designated board.
>change things
Do you prefer it when things just change by themselves without anyone talking about it or approving it? We didn't always have generals.
>he is enjoying it
Literally who are you talking about, why do you think that, and how could you possibly even tell that.

And if you must know the context for why it was bumped, it's >>>/mlpol/349017 →
Partly to do with the fact that the problems that were discussed before have only gotten worse since.
Anonymous
No.7205
7206 7207 7208
eagte4.png
>>7204
>Partly to do with the fact that the problems that were discussed before have only gotten worse since.
Every time you tried this stunt the post count went to the cleaners, you have been warned before about hurting the board and yet you are doing it again. Your malice is evident.
Anonymous
No.7206
7209
>>7205
How is talking about generals "hurting the board"? Are you implying that all posts to /qa/ somehow stifle conversation?
I don't believe that for even a second. Correlation does not imply causation, and it's 1:00 AM on a week day.
People have been posting to /qa/ since the board was first made. It's normal to have conversations about the site, and necessary for the community to function. That's why we made /qa/.
Anonymous
No.7207
7208
>>7205
You're only comparing site data from between today and last week. Not to mention Wednesday had more posts, and Thursday has only barely begun. That's not a representative sample size and does not prove anything.
If you want traffic to improve, go make some new threads.
Anonymous
No.7208
>>7205
>>7207
And now that I look at it, it says we had MORE posts per day than last week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so your claim about this conversation somehow discouraging the rest of the board is totally unfounded.
Anonymous
No.7209
7210
>>7206
Yeah, that's silly. Maybe if the conversation was in a more requent thread but on a literal meta board, you can't be criticised for stifling conversation.

Besides, I believe in the point being raised and I like to discuss it, without any personal drama to squander it.
Anonymous
No.7210
>>7209
>I believe in the point being raised and I like to discuss it, without any personal drama to squander it.
This.
I'm so tired of personal drama, and accusations/paranoia thereof, ruining good meta threads where the users should have the opportunities to voice opinions on important site issues.
People need to chill the fuck out.
Anonymous
No.7211
Maybe the site is just too small? Petty personal disagreements regularly and easily lead to threads getting derailed.
It's not something that is ever going to change, given the nature of the site.
John Elway
## HorseWhisperer
No.7212
7213 7214 7215
6400004__safe_artist-colon-amo_imported+from+derpibooru_applejack_fluttershy_pinkie+pie_rainbow+dash_rarity_twilight+sparkle_alicorn_earth+pony_pegasus_pony_uni.webm
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Anonymous
No.7213
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Anonymous
No.7214
7215
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Anonymous
No.7215
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Anonymous
No.7216
Also, the "post ITT every time you visit" threads are low-effort bait and do nothing for the site beyond 'increasing the post count' while overall decreasing the post count. Seriously, there's no conducive reason for them
Anonymous
No.7798
7799
If we're going to keep having generals for the foreseeable future, can we at least have a soft etiquette that the political ones should have poster IDs? The political generals without poster IDs hardly ever have coherent conversations, and everyone deals with them for 700 posts because that's the thread with the topic at hand.
Anonymous
No.7799
7800 7806
pinkie.jpg
>>7798
>can we at least have a soft etiquette that the political ones should have poster IDs?
It only benefits the faggot having more proxies at hand. Any anon wanting ID can put his name in the Quickreplay's field. It is that easy.
>and everyone deals with them for 700 posts because that's the thread with the topic at hand.
KEK, that GALL of saying that.
Actually no one will make new threads or post even a single pony. Be the solution by participating by posting new threads and shitposting instead of complaining on other's threads while sitting and doing nothing. It is like you are here to be entertained instead or actively participating.
Anonymous
No.7800
7801 7810 7818
tired.png
>>7799
I'm not that anon, but participating in what? A flat earth thread where one guy spams his facebook memes and ignores what's actually being argued? Nigger/tranny/jew hate thread #6969? Coronavirus thread that goes nowhere for 2 years?

I don't know why I personally keep coming back here. Stockholm Syndrome I guess.
Anonymous
No.7801
7802
>>7800
You could post in the soap thread or the mare fair thread
I'm pretty partial to those two
Anonymous
No.7802
>>7801
A convention I will never be able to attend and a craft I have no real interest in
Fasces
## Mod
No.7803
7807 7811
How about this compromise, since this keeps being brought back up constantly? Next time I see boomer meme spam, I ban the poster for three days each time until he gets it through his skull?

As for corona thread, it is about time for it to end as a general. I can agree to stopping that one. New discoveries about effects of the vaccine or policies that aim to return to lockdowns need their own threads. I much rather keep the flat earth thread so we don't have a wave of threads on that shit and I have to dig around for other content.

And as for complaining about content, fucking interact with the content that exists and make suggestions for anons if you can't make threads on your own. So many of my own threads get no engagement with no critique on how to change it to make it appealing. If you can't do this, then you get to deal with the current state of quality.

Thread Watcher
TW